Keyboard Shortcuts for Programs

In Windows XP, a shortcut was simply a button that allowed you to access a program without having to go all the way to its original directory. However, Windows Vista provides the option of using your keyboard as shortcuts to opening your programs. You can now use 1, 2, or 3 simple keystrokes to open one of your programs.

• Quick Launch Shortcuts:

To use your keyboard to open programs from your Quick Launch toolbar, which are the icons beside your start menu, simply push:

The Windows Key (between Ctrl and Alt) + slotnumber

So for example, if I wanted to open Internet Explorer, I would push:
Windows Key + 2

• Any shortcut:

In addition to the shortcut we just talked about, you can use your keyboard as well to open shortcuts you have made for your program. To do this:

1. Right click on a program shortcut and choose properties (if you don’t already have a shortcut, copy the program, then right click on empty space and choose paste shortcut.)
2. Click on the Shortcuts tab above.
3. Then in the Shortcut Key box, push different keys to set your shortcut. Rather than make your own combinations, Microsoft makes them for you unfortunately. Below is a list of possible combinations you can make.

One Key:

• F1-F12 buttons
• Numpad buttons

Two-key:

• Shift + F1-F12 buttons
• Ctrl + F1-F12 buttons

Three-key:

• Ctrl + Alt + Almost any other button on the keyboard (you only have to press one key for this shortcut. Microsoft makes the combination for you.)

It’s too bad you can’t make your own combinations.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, February 18th, 2007 at 11:29 am and is filed under Tips and Tweaks, Windows Vista. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.